Skill Development - Digital Technology

Before starting media studies and beginning to put together my Foundation Portfolio, I had very little/no experience with using certain digital technology, especially Photoshop. As a class we had a Photoshop 'workshop' which helped me learn the basics, for example, how to change the brightness and contrast of an image. The preliminary task then allowed me to develop these skills further. I started to get more confident with the technology, learning how to add and edit text, get to grips with the layered format on Photoshop, etc. After that I mainly used a 'trial and error' approach with Photoshop, practicing with random pictures before beginning the actual production process of my magazine. Some specific skills I learnt throughout the duration of my year of AS Media include: image editing (colour treatment, spot healing tool, and dodge tool), text editing (magic wand and eraser tool, and transform-scale), how to add shapes, and changing layer styles (opacity, etc.).Throughout the course, I also became more confident with using cameras and lighting. Beforehand, I had used digital cameras but I had never used them in an advanced way. After doing multiple photo shoots for my product, I now know how to position and frame shots correctly and how to use lighting to make the shots look more flattering.